IN FOCUS: STATS- Unexpected drop in jobless rate sparks optimism:
Two years of steep job cuts all but ended last month, unexpectedly pulling down the unemployment rate and
raising hopes for a lasting economic recovery.
Federal figures released Friday showed that the rate fell from 10.2 percent in October to 10 percent....
And the so-called underemployment rate, counting part-time workers who want full-time jobs and laid-off
workers who have given up their job hunt, also fell, from 17.5 percent in October to 17.2 percent.... -
AP, 12-4-09
THE HEADLINES....- Sarah Palin speech: The view's better from inside the bus than under it:
The lines began forming Saturday morning outside the Sioux Falls Barnes & Noble bookstore, fully 35
hours before former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was to arrive there to sign her new book,"Going Rogue."... -
LAT, 12-6-09
- What Sarah Palin had to say at Saturday's Gridiron dinner:
Look at it this way, Sarah Palin told a Washington journalists' dinner Saturday night: If Joe Biden had lost,
he'd be peddling a book today titled,"Going Rogaine."
Biden, of course, is now vice president (and with a head of thinning hair), while Palin, the former Alaska
governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, stopped in Washington Saturday to promote her book,"Going Rogue," and entertain the Gridiron Club, a group of veteran Washington reporters and bureau chiefs at
their annual winter dinner.... -
McClatchy Newspapers, 12-6-09
- Obama: Efforts aimed at economy's long-term health:
The U.S. is emerging from an"economic storm," President Barack Obama says, pledging new ways to put people back
on the payroll after a painful recession.
Readying a job creation proposal he plans to send to Congress in the coming week, the president said in his radio
and Internet address Saturday that he's focused on building an economy"that continues to make real the promise
of America for generations to come."...
In a Washington speech Tuesday, Obama is likely to endorse expanding a program that gives people cash incentives
to fix up their homes with energy-saving materials, according to administration officials....
"So that we don't face another crisis like this again, I'm determined to meet our responsibility to do what
we know will strengthen our economy in the long run," Obama said in his address.
AP, 12-5-09 - Senate debates health care, rejects GOP amendment:
Senate Republicans failed Saturday to eliminate $42.1 billion in cuts to Medicare home health care service
in the health care bill.
The 53-41 vote shot down a motion offered by Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Nebraska, that would have sent Majority Leader
Harry Reid's sweeping $848 billion reform plan back to committee with instructions to remove all home health
care cuts.
Johanns objected to the cuts, saying that the services"help some of the most vulnerable Americans."... -
CNN, 12-5-09
- Baucus Nominated Girlfriend for Post, Aide Says:
A spokesman for U.S. Sen. Max Baucus says the Montana Democrat was in a romantic relationship with the woman
he nominated for U.S. attorney.... -
AP/NYT, 12-5-09
- Obama shifts Copenhagen travel plans to boost climate change deal:
US president bows to international pressure to join other world leaders in crunch negotiating sessions.
Barack Obama has bowed to international appeals for America to demonstrate commitment to action on global
warming, and said he will join other world leaders for the crunch negotiating sessions of the Copenhagen
climate change summit.
The White House, in a statement from the press secretary, Robert Gibbs, last night said Obama would adjust his
original travel schedule..."The president believes that continued US leadership can be most productive through his participation at the
end of the Copenhagen conference on December 18th," the statement said."There are still outstanding issues
that must be negotiated for an agreement to be reached, but this decision reflects the president's commitment
to doing all he can to pursue a positive outcome."... -
Guardian UK, 12-4-09 - Climategate? What Climategate? Congressional Democrats are Climategate deniers:
The scandal involving leaked or purloined emails from the Climatic Research Unit at Britain's University of
East Anglia finally reached Capitol Hill this week, but not in the way you'd expect. Democratic committee
chairmen ignored the evidence of scientific skullduggery at the influential research unit, even as its head
Phil Jones stepped aside this week to make way for an investigation.
Senator Barbara Boxer, chair of the Environment Committee, did rouse herself to comment on the emails, saying
their release should be treated as a criminal matter."You call it 'Climategate'; I call it 'Email-theft-gate,'"
she said."Part of our looking at this will be looking at a criminal activity which could have well been
coordinated."... -
WSJ, 12-4-09 - Palin arrives to cheering crowd at Fort Hood:
A cheering crowd has greeted former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin at Fort Hood in Texas.
About 1,250 fans showed up to get signed copies of Palin's book,"Going Rogue." Because of limited space, only
about 250 people were allowed in the food court building to see the former Alaska governor.... -
AP, 12-4-09
- Senate preserves long-term care program:
The Senate on Friday turned back a Republican effort to eliminate a long-term care insurance program to
help seniors and the disabled, saving the plan once championed by the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy in
its health overhaul bill.
But the vote exposed the difficulties Democratic leaders face in persuading their own moderates to remain
united behind sweeping legislation they hope to deliver to President Barack Obama. Eleven Democrats voted
with Republicans, who warned that the new program would turn into a drain on the federal budget.
Republicans fell short in a bid to strike the long-term care plan on a 51-47 vote. They needed 60 votes to prevail.... -
AP, 12-4-09
- Obama, lawmakers target bailout fund for jobs bill:
President Barack Obama's options for spurring job growth may be limited by out-of-control budget deficits, but
he is warming to moves by his congressional allies for a jobs-boosting bill.
Taking his defense of the economy on the road, the president scheduled appearances Friday in Pennsylvania to
showcase innovative businesses following Thursday's White House jobs forum. That event combined cheerleading
and brainstorming as Obama exhorted more than 100 CEOs, academics, small business and union leaders and local
officials to focus on new ways to get businesses hiring again.... -
AP, 12-4-09
- Allegedly green Obama lights National Christmas Tree, leaves them on:
It was Barack Obama's first time.
But tonight for the 86th year in a row, a U.S. president turned on the lights of the national Christmas tree,
a 40-foot Colorado spruce near the White House.
Claiming to be technologically challenged, the BlackBerry-loving, 48-year-old president asked his daughters,
Sasha and Malia, to help press the ceremonial button that lit up the tree planted on the Ellipse way back in 1978.
In those days Obama was only 17 and an aging Vice President Joe Biden was already in the second of a gazillion
terms as a senator from Delaware."Watson, come here!" the 44th president exclaimed. No, just kidding. He actually exclaimed,"It worked!"... -
LAT, 12-3-09
- Senate Democrats push ahead on health bill:
They pass an amendment requiring insurers to cover women's preventive care and screenings, and reject McCain's bid
to restore proposed cuts in what Medicare pays out... -
LAT, 12-3-09
- Senate Breaks Health Stalemate; First Votes Today:
At the end of a third day of Senate debate over sweeping health care legislation, Democrats and Republicans said
Wednesday night that they had broken an impasse over the seemingly simple question of how and when to vote on
the first amendments.
But even as lawmakers announced an agreement to begin voting Thursday, Democrats accused Republicans of stalling
debate and obstructing the legislation.... -
NYT, 12-2-09
- Obama shifts White House spotlight to unemployment:
President Barack Obama turns his attention on Thursday from Afghanistan to the battle against unemployment
which has sapped his popularity and may shape his political future.
Obama is hosting a forum with business leaders at the White House to discuss how to boost jobs after U.S.
unemployment hit a 26-year peak of 10.2 percent in October. But the gathering has been dismissed by critics
as a public relations exercise.
The president's public approval ratings have dipped as joblessness has grown, alarming members of his
Democratic party who face congressional elections next year. Republicans say his economic recoveries policies
have failed to deliver.... -
Reuters, 12-2-09
- Obama rejoining economic debate with jobs summit:
Under pressure from Republicans and an impatient public to fix the sputtering economic recovery, President
Barack Obama is refocusing on this politically potent issue by talking job creation with business and labor
leaders at the White House....
Administration officials are hoping Thursday's jobs forum, an Obama trip to Pennsylvania on Friday and a major
economic speech on Tuesday will help counter Republican critics who contend the administration's economic recovery
efforts have failed and its oversight of the $787 billion stimulus package has been inadequate.... -
AP, 12-3-09
- Old Clemency May Be Issue for Huckabee:
When Mike Huckabee, a former Southern Baptist minister then serving as governor of Arkansas, granted clemency
to Maurice Clemmons nine years ago, he cited his age: Mr. Clemmons was 16 when he began the crime spree for
which he was sentenced to more than 100 years in prison... -
NYT, 12-1-09
- Palin reaches the 1 million mark:
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's memoir 'Going Rogue' has sold more than one million copies after debuting
only two weeks ago, her publisher Harper Collins tells CNN....-
CNN, 12-1-09
- Tempers rise as Senate moves toward health vote:
A Republican senator asserted Tuesday during a rancorous floor debate that President Barack Obama's health
care overhaul will shorten the lives of America's seniors by cutting Medicare."I have a message for you: You're going to die sooner," said Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., an obstetrician-
turned-lawmaker.... -
AP, 12-1-09
ELECTIONS 2010, 2012....POLITICAL QUOTES- Obama Pledges to Put More Americans Back to Work:
In his weekly radio and Internet address, the U.S. president said Saturday he will 'focus every single day'
on building the economy and getting people into productive jobs.
VOA, 12-5-09
- Weekly Address: President Obama Says Employment Trends Are Improving; But Remains Focused on Job Creation
Remarks of President Barack Obama As Prepared for Delivery Weekly Address Saturday, December 5, 2009:
History tells us this is usually what happens with recessions – even as the economy grows, it takes time for jobs to
follow. But the folks who have been looking for work without any luck for months and, in some cases, years, can't
wait any longer. For them, I'm determined to do everything I can to accelerate our progress so we're actually
adding jobs again....
And that's exactly what I'm working to give them. In the coming days, I'll be unveiling additional ideas aimed
at accelerating job growth and hiring as we emerge from this economic storm.
And so that we don't face another crisis like this again, I'm determined to meet our responsibility to do what
we know will strengthen our economy in the long-run. That's why I'm not going to let up in my efforts to reform
our health care system; to give our children the best education in the world; to promote the jobs of tomorrow
and energy independence by investing in a clean energy economy; and to deal with the mounting federal debt.... -
WH, 12-5-09 - President Obama's remarks at National Christmas Tree, as provided by the White House:
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. (Applause.) Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Washington, D.C. (Applause.) I want to,
first of all, thank Secretary Salazar for not only the kind introduction, but the extraordinary work he is doing
in preserving the incredible bounty and natural resources of this country.
I want to thank all those involved in helping to organize this great event. Thank you to....
...Randy Jackson, and all the performers putting on an incredible show. I told Sasha we're not on American Idol --
(laughter) -- no singing. (Laughter.)
I also want to thank Neal Mulholland, Jon Jarvis, and Peggy O'Dell from the National Park Service for being
with us, and all the Park Service employees who've worked so hard to put this event together -- give them a
big round of applause. (Applause.) And I want to thank my outstanding Vice President and his gorgeous
granddaughters -- Joe Biden. Stand up, Joe. (Applause.)
In 1923, the Washington, D.C. Public Schools wrote a letter to the White House asking if they could put up a
Christmas tree on the South Lawn. And First Lady Grace Coolidge said they could use the Ellipse. (Laughter.)
And in the eight decades since -– in times of war and peace, hardship and joy –- Americans from every corner of
this nation have gathered here to share in the holiday spirit.
Tonight, we celebrate a story that is as beautiful as it is simple. The story of a child born far from home to
parents guided only by faith, but who would ultimately spread a message that has endured for more than 2,000 years -–
that no matter who we are or where we are from, we are each called to love one another as brother and sister.
While this story may be a Christian one, its lesson is universal. It speaks to the hope we share as a people.
And it represents a tradition that we celebrate as a country –- a tradition that has come to represent more than
any one holiday or religion, but a season of brotherhood and generosity to our fellow citizens.
It's that spirit of unity that we must remember as we light the National Christmas Tree –- a tree that will shine
its light far beyond our city and our shores to every American around the world.
And that’s why tonight our thoughts and prayers are with the men and women who will be spending this holiday far
from home –- the mothers and fathers, the sons and daughters of our military who risk their lives every day to keep
us safe. We will be thinking of you and praying for you during this holiday season.
And let's also remember our neighbors who are struggling here at home -– those who've lost a job or a home; a
friend or a loved one -- because even though it's easy to focus on receiving at this time of year, it's often
in the simple act of giving that we find the greatest happiness.
So on behalf of Michelle and Malia and Sasha and my mother-in-law, Mama Robinson -- I want to wish all of you a
very Merry Christmas. May you go out with joy, and be led forth in peace.
And now, to the serious business of pressing the button and lighting this beautiful tree. (Applause.) So, guys,
come up here. I need some assistance. I'm technologically challenged and I might not get this right. So we're
going to do a countdown, starting from five. Everybody has got to help me out here. Five, four, three, two, one --
ho! (Applause.) It worked!
LAT, 12-3-09
HISTORIANS & ANALYSTS' COMMENTS- Historians comment on Obama role as consoler in chief:
In the days ahead, Obama must master those moments to sustain support for the war in Afghanistan, says
Jerald Podair, a history professor at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin."Grief is the one part of a president's job that cannot be spun. It must be personal and come from the heart,"
Podair says.
Yet the cool and cerebral Obama is not known for opening his heart, Podair says...
... If Obama bungles a public occasion for mourning, he can permanently damage his ability to lead,
some historians say.... -
CNN (12-4-09)
- Max Boot: Despite some questions, Obama's Afghan policy is sound
Given time, his strategy should work. But will there be time, and what about 'winning'?:
President Obama's Afghanistan policy raises some serious questions (more on those in a moment), but to see why
it has a decent chance of working, it helps to visit the town of Nawa in southern Afghanistan's Helmand River
Valley. I was there in October and found that 1,000 Marines who had arrived during the summer had already made
substantial strides.
When the Marines got there, Nawa was practically a ghost town.....
At the same time, our troops must work to build up Afghanistan's security forces. Yet another missing element
in Obama's speech was the lack of a specific commitment to expand the Afghan security forces, but there is
little doubt that this is our only responsible exit strategy. Before the Afghans can take the lead, however,
our troops must first reduce the enemy's toughest strongholds. That process begins in Marjah. -
LAT, 12-3-09 - Andrew J. Bacevich: Obama's folly:
Rather than trying to salvage Bush's policy in Afghanistan, the president should show real courage and
just pull the plug.
Which is the greater folly: To fancy that war offers an easy solution to vexing problems, or, knowing otherwise,
to opt for war anyway?
In the wake of 9/11, American statecraft emphasized the first approach: President George W. Bush embarked on a"global war" to eliminate violent jihadism. President Obama now seems intent on pursuing the second approach:
Through military escalation in Afghanistan, he seeks to"finish the job" that Bush began there, then all but
abandoned.
Through war, Bush set out to transform the greater Middle East. Despite immense expenditures of blood and treasure,
that effort failed. In choosing Obama rather than John McCain to succeed Bush, the American people acknowledged
that failure as definitive. Obama's election was to mark a new beginning, an opportunity to"reset" America's
approach to the world.... -
LAT, 12-3-09
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